The Rakshasas
The Rakshasas are a race humanoid beings created by Lord Brahma, the Supreme Creator. They are usually cannibalistic and violent, although there are some exceptions. They are the primary antagonists in the Ramayana. Ravana
Ravana
रावण
The King of Rakshasas. He ruled from the kingdom of Lanka. Back in the day, he conquered the gods, the Gandharvas, the Asuras, the Nagas and all human kings. He is the main antagonist in the Ramayana, for kidnapping Rama's wife and refusing to return her.- The Ace: Ravana was a great scholar of the Vedas. He was blessed with gorgeous looks rivalling the God of Love. He was the disciple of the Sage Shukracharya. Aside from being a great warrior, he was also an excellent veena player, music composer, singer, poet, astrologer and a wonderful administrator. He also conquered the three worlds.
- Abduction Is Love: Averted. Ravana lusted after Sita and kidnapped her.
- Anti-Villain: In some parts of Hindu scripture, Ravana and his brother Kumbakarna were heavenly beings cursed to be reborn as demons, and had to perform evil acts in order to be killed by Vishnu's avatars, break the curse, and return to heaven.
- Big Bad: Pretty much this.
- Big Brother Bully:
- Inverted with Kubera. Kubera was Ravana's elder brother and the God of Wealth. Ravana defeated Kubera and stole the latter's flying chariot.
- Played straight with Vibhishana. Sick of Ravana's tyrannical nature, Vibhishana joined Rama and helped him.
- The Conqueror: Given Ravana's conquests over the gods, the Asuras, the Yakshas, the Nagas and the Gandhrvas. He vanquished many human kings as well.
- Ravana conquered the Earth, the Gods and the Asuras, although he wasn't interested in ruling over it.
- Dark Lord: Not a stereotypical example, but Ravana was evil and had a huge military force.
- Defeat Means Respect: Ravana once tried to lift Mt. Kailash. Unfortunately, it was the home of Lord Shiva, the uber badass God of Ultimate Destruction and the last person you wanted to piss off. Shiva nonchalantly pressed his toe and crushed Ravana's hands under the mountain, trapping him. Ravana began to scream loudly and was forced to sing many hymns in the praise of Lord Shiva for a thousand years, one of which was the Shiva Tandava Stotram. Eventually Shiva relented and freed him, giving Ravana some cool weapons and warning him not to make trouble again. While Ravana did not heed Shiva's warning, he became Shiva's devotee and worshiped him.
- The Dreaded: He was feared by the gods and the sages. This was largely due to the boon of invincibility he received from Lord Brahma.
- For the Evulz: Ravana didn't have much of a motivation for being evil. He belonged to the race of Rakshasas, who are known for their vicious predator tendencies. After acquiring the boon of invincibilty, Ravana became really arrogant and did whatever he felt like without regard to Dharma.
- Good Thing You Can Heal: Ravana's regeneration ability was so great he could even recreate heads if decapitated. Same with his arms.
- Meaningful Name: Ravana was originally called Dashanan (one with ten heads). Lord Shiva bestowed the name Ravana on him. Ravana means "one with great roar".
- Multi-Armed and Dangerous: Had twenty arms and ten heads which could regenerate.
- Really Seven Hundred Y Ears Old: Ravana was so old, he once killed Rama's ancestor Anaranya. Anaranya had cursed him before his death that one of his descendants shall kill Ravana.
- Sex Signals Death: Invoked Trope. When Ravana ravished the celestial damsel Rambha, her lover cursed Ravana that if he ever violates a woman, he will immediately die. That is one of the reasons why Ravana does not ravish Sita.
- This Cannot Be!: Ravana was totally convinced that the Vanara army couldn't escape Indrajit's Brahmashira weapon. The Vanaras were completely exterminated. The next day he was shell shocked to find out that the entire army had not only recovered but were more energetic than ever.
- World's Best Warrior: Played with. Ravana was defeated many times by people like Mandhata, Kartavirya Arjuna, Vali, Kapila etc. Still he is very dangerous since he acquired divine weapons from Lord Brahma.
Indrajit
Also known as Meghnad, Indrajit is the eldest son of Ravana and Mandodari. He was the best warrior of the Rakshasas.
- Co-Dragons: Along with his uncle Kumbhakarna. He was one of the most dangerous warriors among the Rakshasas.
- Meaningful Name: He roared like a thundercloud when he was born, hence Ravana named him "Meghnad" (one with thunderous roar). His other name, Indrajit means "one who defeated Indra". That came when he defeated the King of the Devas, Indra in battle.
- World's Best Warrior: Played with. While Indrajit was a master of many esoteric weapons, he often won his fights by turning invisible. Lakshmana calls him out for being a coward.
Kumbakarna
One of Ravana's brothers, Kumbakarna is a gigantic Rakshasa and fearsome warrior who was cursed by the gods to sleep for six months, and ultimately wakes up in time for the final battle with Rama's army.
- Co-Dragons: With his nephew Indrajit, being one of the greatest Rakshasa warriors.
- The Dreaded: Due to his massive size and combat abilities, he's almost as feared as Ravana himself.
- Kaiju: Naturally, as he's a giant demon.
Surpanakha
Ravana's sister, who falls in love with Rama during his exile and, after being rejected by both him and Lakshmana, demands that Ravana avenge her humiliation.
- Abhorrent Admirer: To both Rama and Lakshmana, both because they're married and because she's, you know, a demon.
- Love at First Sight: Surpanakha was instantly entranced by Rama's good looks.
- Small Role, Big Impact: She doesn't have a lot of screen time, but her interactions with Rama and Lakshmana lead to Sita's abduction and the war between Rama and Ravana.
- Villainesses Want Heroes: Surpanakha is a deadly Rakshasa, but falls in love with Rama.
- Yandere: She's enraged when Rama and Lakshmana reject her, tries to Murder the Hypotenuse by killing Sita, and pushes Ravana to start a war with them.
